Julius White to Aaron Weill, November 8, 1880

Mr. White to Mr. Weill.

Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of the 7th instant, I cannot advise you regarding damages in your case; you will be the best judge of that. I can only state that should you file a statement in this legation it will be presented at such time and in such manner as the Department of State may direct.

I must also leave your conduct under the existing circumstances to your own judgment. Since the German Government now holds that its treaties of 1868 do not apply to Alsace-Lorraine the whole question is entirely unsettled, and will be discussed at some indefinite time in the future. Under these circumstances your remaining in Alsace-Lorraine would seem to be a matter of serious risk, and it becomes a question whether it would not be better for you, instead of continuing your residence there, to return to the country of your adoption and take up the duties of citizenship which have been conferred upon you, but which it would appear you have never begun to exercise, you having left America for your old home almost immediately after you were naturalized. This, as stated in my former letter, adds to the difficulty of your case, creating not unnaturally a prejudice against you among the German authorities.

The same uncertainty which exists in regard to other matters extends to your fine of 600 marks. But my belief is that if you, practically and bona fide, return to your duties as an American citizen you will hear no more of it.

Your papers have been asked for by the legation, and will doubtless be returned to you. But in the regular course of things it will require some considerable time for them to reach Berlin and from the foreign office to arrive at the legation, which has not yet even received official notification of your release.

I remain, &c.,